Bhaktapur’s Sindhoor Jatra in pictures
Local residents celebrated the famous Sindhoor Jatra in the premises of Balkumari Temple, Madhyapur Thimi on Sunday.
This festival is celebrated every year on Baishakh 1 and 2 as part of Biska Jatra observed by people of the Newar community in Bhaktapur district.
The festival marks the arrival of spring.
On the occasion, devotees gather at one place and take out a procession carrying 32 palanquins carrying idols of various deities.
People smear Sindhoor (orange vermillion powder) to each other while taking out the procession.
Jhulaghat transit point to be closed from Tuesday
The Jhulaghat border crossing point with India will be closed from Tuesday.
The border transit point is going to be closed in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, said Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Bhimkant Sharma.
Parliamentary elections are going to be held in the neighboring Uttarakhand state of India on April 19.
In view of the election, the Jhulaghat checkpoint will be closed from 7 pm on April 16 to 7 pm on April 19.
The transit point is being closed due to security concerns. However, it can be opened for emergency reasons based on mutual agreement, it is stated.
Judsheetal festival being observed in Madhes
The Judsheetal festival is being celebrated in Tarai-Madhes and the Mithila region on Sunday.
During this festival, the elders sprinkle water on the heads of the young and bless them with good health and long life.
On this day, the fields are also irrigated. Culture experts said that the main purpose of this festival is to provide respite to plants and humans who are longing for water due to the excessive sun heat.
There is also a tradition of consuming sweet dishes today.
Meanwhile, the Madhes province government has announced a public holiday today on the occasion of the Judsheetal festival.
Second edition of Janakpurdham Cultural Festival concludes
The second edition of the Janakpurdham Cultural Festival, organized joinly by Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center (SVCC), Embassy of India, Kathmandu together with the Consulate General of India, Birgunj and the BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation (BPKF), coinciding with the Nepali New Year concluded in Janakpur on Saturday.
The 1st edition of the Janakpurdham Cultural Festival was organized in April 2023.
The festival was organized at Mahendranarayan Nidhi Mithila Cultural Center, Janakpur and comprised of two sessions, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Indian in Kathmandu.
The first session of the event included a keynote address by Haribans Jha on ‘Jaanaki Lila’; exhibitions on sarees as well as the forts of India and Nepal; and a Maithili Food Festival curated by celebrated chef Santosh Shah.
The second session showcased musical performances of Bhajans based on the life of Lord Ram and Sita by the teachers and artists of SVCC. The special highlight of the second session was a performance by Menuka Poudel, a celebrated Nepali singer, who was also a top 10 contestant of Indian Idol 2024, according to the statement.
Madhesh Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav inaugurated the first session of the Festival as the Chief Guest. Manoj Kumar Sah, Mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Janakpur was the Chief Guest during the evening's cultural event.
The events were graced by participation from Provincial Assembly members of Madhesh Province, dignitaries, and the media, and were witnessed by a large audience.
The 2nd edition of the Janakpurdham Cultural Festival celebrated the shared cultural heritage of India and Nepal reflected in the common traditions of art, culture and festivals of the two countries, the statement further reads.
